Sing a New Song

A Woman's Guide to the Psalms

This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.
Buy on Amazon Buy on BN.com Buy on Bookshop.org
*This page contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.
Send NetGalley books directly to your Kindle or Kindle app

1
To read on a Kindle or Kindle app, please add kindle@netgalley.com as an approved email address to receive files in your Amazon account. Click here for step-by-step instructions.
2
Also find your Kindle email address within your Amazon account, and enter it here.
Pub Date 31 Oct 2017 | Archive Date 05 Oct 2017

Description

Humans are relational, emotional beings—and nothing reveals this more beautifully than the book of Psalms. As the psalmists pour out their hearts to God, they uncover the multifaceted character of the Lord Almighty and reveal his grace-filled plans for his people.

Sing a New Song offers a fresh look at the 150 psalms in the Bible, summarizing each psalm's key themes, revealing how each fits in with both the book as a whole and the rest of Scripture, and suggesting practical applications. Designed for use in personal study or in small groups, this book will invigorate your study of the Psalms and enable you to see the steadfast love and faithfulness of God reflected on every page.

Humans are relational, emotional beings—and nothing reveals this more beautifully than the book of Psalms. As the psalmists pour out their hearts to God, they uncover the multifaceted character of...


A Note From the Publisher

PDF may not be compatible with all reading devices.

PDF may not be compatible with all reading devices.


Advance Praise

“What an exceptional book! First, its scope is different from other books in that it focuses exclusively on the psalms—all 150 of them. Second, its format is unique because the author presents each divinely inspired song with creative divisions such as ‘Musical Notes’ (how the psalm reveals God and his grace) and ‘Sing the Song’ (suggestions for personal application). If you’re a woman looking for a fresh approach to your reading of Scripture, you’ll find it in Lydia Brownback’s Sing a New Song.”
Donald S. Whitney, professor of biblical spirituality and associate dean, School of Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; author, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life and Family Worship

“I'm grateful for this call to read the book of Psalms straight through! Lydia Brownback has distilled the various themes and offers great encouragement for readers to delve into the prayers and praises of God’s people given in his Word. How good to be reminded that the psalms speak into all the moments of our lives, giving us a song for each one.” 
Kathleen Nielson, author; speaker; senior adviser, The Gospel Coalition 

“Not only do we need to embrace our emotional side as humans, but as Christians we want to learn a vocabulary that can make our feelings for God be contagious to others. Enter the psalms. God not only gave us a whole book of Scripture for learning the language of the heart, he also made it the longest book of all. Join me in making it a daily habit to open your Bible first to Psalms each morning, and let Lydia Brownback help your reading and meditation stay true and go deep. Sing a New Song is a valuable companion for a lifelong journey through the ups and downs, joys and griefs, praises and laments of God’s own inspired book for the Christian’s heart.” 
David Mathis, executive editor, desiringGod.org; pastor, Cities Church, Minneapolis; author, Habits of Grace: Enjoying Jesus through the Spiritual Disciplines

“Lydia Brownback brings ‘the heart of the Old Testament’—the book of Psalms—to the hearts of her readers. If you desire to deepen your walk with the triune God of the Psalter, Brownback’s brilliant book will shed light on the brilliance of our Lord’s providential purposes for his people. It will inspire you to read and reread the psalms. To use them devotionally. Pray them. Sing them! See them as a mirror to your soul and a reflection of the greatness of our God.”
Douglas Sean O'Donnellsenior pastor, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Elgin, Illinois; author, The Beginning and End of Wisdom; editor, The Pastor's Book

“Sisters in Christ, come journey through the book of Psalms and gaze afresh at our God of steadfast love and covenantal faithfulness. Lydia Brownback has given us an instructive, strengthening gift for heart and mind. Study the biblical text; discover the fulfillment of promises in the New Testament; bring your praise, laments, joys, and fears; pour out your heart, trusting his care and grace for us.”
Jane Patete, former coordinator of women’s ministry, The Presbyterian Church of America

“What an exceptional book! First, its scope is different from other books in that it focuses exclusively on the psalms—all 150 of them. Second, its format is unique because the author presents each...


Available Editions

EDITION Hardcover
ISBN 9781433554339
PRICE $22.99 (USD)

Average rating from 8 members


Featured Reviews

“Sing a New Song is a springboard, a launching-off place, for going deeper into the psalms….” (location 218). I really appreciate the thought that has gone into this book. It is organized in such a way that it could be used in a personal study of the Psalms or a group study. Each Psalm is covered and has five sections that explain the theme, the nature of the psalm and how it fits into the Bible, a breakdown of the psalm, how the psalm reveals God and his grace, and an application section that connects this psalm to related Scriptures.
I appreciated the list and explanations of the different types of psalms and what their focus is. I found that knowing what type of psalm I was reading helped me understand it better. The Psalms are so rich and real. When I see how the Psalmist moves from discouragement to faith, it encourages me and helps me see more how I should respond to similar times in my life.
I was reading the entry on Psalm 2 when something crazy was going on in the world. Brownback pointed out that we don’t need to fear because God can change things in an instant and that God laughs when people/rulers try to get rid of him. The things that make me fearful don’t give God an ounce of concern. This message was so timely and helpful for me. I found that to be true all throughout this book. The psalms speak to where we’re at emotionally and train us to keep our eyes on God.
I would highly recommend this book. It is easy to read yet theologically deep. It has enhanced my understanding of the Psalms and I’m sure I’ll use it again and again.
Thank you to Crossway for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. I was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

Lydia Brownback guides readers slowly through the book of Psalms. This is not a book to be rushed through. Not only because it is a devotional book. But also because the approach--though in some ways a devotional approach--is not a quick rush. The goal isn't for readers to spend two minutes a day with a particular psalm--end of story. Brownback's book is an invitation to a relationship, an invitation to meditate on the psalm and meet the author face to face.

In the preface, Brownback suggests ways readers can best use the book. She suggests that readers can use the book to build confidence in prayer, to prepare a Bible study, to journal your emotions, to weave Psalms with hospitality. (Psalms is not a book of me, me, me--but of WE.)

There is a chapter--an entry--for each psalm, all 150. Each entry consists of the following:

Theme. A one sentence overview of the psalm.
Harmony. Something about the nature of the psalm and how it fits into the big picture of the Psalter.
Singing in Tune. A verse-by-verse breakdown of the psalm.
Musical Notes. How the psalm reveals God and his grace.
Sing the Song. A suggestion for related Scripture reading and personal application.

Perhaps now you can understand why I said this wasn't a book to be rushed through.

I am not sure why Lydia Brownback limits her audience to women. There is nothing specifically "for women" about this book. The psalms are for everyone. And the studies and applications are for everyone.

Was this review helpful?

Sing A New Song is phenomenal - I honestly I don't have enough words for it - but the words I have I am going to sing them out to you - get it - sing them out - first of all - I adore Psalms - It helps you build your relationship In your prayer life with the LORD - It is faithful to the Scriptures - then we are to journal our emotions - and boy does that draw you close to GOD believe it or not. It also teaches us hospitality - you see if you read the headers to Psalms they use it in gatherings - for songs in groups - it gives you a theme - a harmony - singing a tune - musical notes - sing the song - now what does each of those mean - each of those are incredible and special and I am not going to tell you because you have to get the book to find out what each of those special things are that you are to do daily. They are fun and they connect you with GOD what more can you ask for - this is special, advantageous for you to have, and a true GOD-send for me to have.

Was this review helpful?

With Psalms our weaknesses become God's strength.

Helplessness becomes confidence because God hears his cries
Distress becomes peace because God is his protector
Fear becomes trust because God has promised to save him.
Anguish becomes peace because God sustains him.

I loved this devotional thru the Book of Psalms. Going thru all 150 Psalms with a theme, harmony, and how we live in tune to the word of God. It ends with the Musical notes of God's grace as he draws us near to him.

Each Psalm rightly orients our thinking "upward" rather than "inward". We cannot correctly know and understand God if we are the focus, however, in our pain and our emotions, we can know and experience God's promises of salvation and transformation. Just as many of the writers of Psalms experienced such as David and Moses. These were not perfect men and today's world would be crucified by the media. However, their cries of help and seeking God's mercy thru repentance is rare. Brownback goes further with scripture upon scripture and God's attributions of each Psalm. Some of it is repetitive, however, our pain can be as well.

I do believe that men would greatly be encouraged by this devotion as well. I highly recommend this to be read along with your reading of the Psalms. I was greatly encouraged.

A Special Thank You to Crossway and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review

Was this review helpful?

Readers who liked this book also liked: